RAPID ACTION NETWORK

28 February 2007

RAN 11/07

IRAN: Iranian Kurdish journalist Adnan Hassanpour detained; fears of ill treatment.

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Iranian Kurdish journalist, writer and human rights activist Adnan Hassanpour, who has been held incommunicado since 25 January 2007. International PEN fears that he is being detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression and if so calls on the Iranian authorities to release him with immediate effect. International PEN is also alarmed by reports that he may be at risk of ill treatment, and is seeking reassurances of his well being from the Iranian government. Amnesty International gives the following information (Urgent Action: UA 39/07):

Adnan Hassanpour, journalist and advocate of cultural rights for Iranian Kurds,
was reportedly detained on 25 January in Marivan, a small city in the
northwestern province of Kurdistan. He is believed to be held incommunicado in
the provincial capital Sanandaj, where he is at risk of torture or ill treatment.

Up to six people, reportedly from the Ministry of Intelligence, are said to
have telephoned Adnan Hassanpour’s mobile telephone on 25 January and told him
to go to a certain place. When he followed their instructions, he was arrested.
Security forces personnel reportedly took him back to his home where they
removed his computer, notebooks and other personal effects prior to detaining
him. It is believed that he was transferred the same day to a detention centre
in the provincial capital, Sanandaj, around two hours away, where he is believed to be held incommunicado.

Adnan Hassanpour has reportedly been denied access to his family and his
lawyer. His mother is said to have made several requests to Ministry of
Intelligence officials to visit him, after travelling for more than two hours
in cold winter weather to reach Sanandaj, which have all been denied. The
officials have reportedly indicated that he will be detained for several more
weeks, although he is not known to have been charged with any offence.

Adnan Hassanpour is a former member of the editorial board of the
Kurdish-Persian weekly journal, Aso (Horizon), which was closed by the Iranian
authorities in August 2005. Adnan Hassanpour had previously reportedly been
tried in connection with articles published in the journal.

According to PEN’s information, Adan Hassanpour’s arrest may have been motivated by a recent interview he gave to the Voice of America. No charges against him have been made known.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Please send appeals:

·                                 Calling on the Iranian authorities to disclose the charges under which Adnan Hassanpour is being held and calling for his release if he is being held solely for peacefully exercising his right to free expression;

·                                 Expressing concerns at reports that he may be at risk of ill treatment and seeking reassurances from the Iranian authorities that Adnan Hassanpour’s wellbeing is guaranteed.

APPEALS TO:

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic

His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei,

The Office of the Supreme Leader

Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: info@leader.ir or istiftaa@wilayah.org

Head of the Judiciary

His Excellency

Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi

Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr,

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: via Judiciary website: Iranjudiciary.org/feedback_en.html

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Intelligence

Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie

Ministry of Intelligence,

Second Negarestan Street,

Pasdaran Avenue,

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran.

Email: iranprobe@iranprobe.com

COPIES TO:

President:

His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The Presidency,

Palestine Avenue,

Azerbaijan Intersection,

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Fax: Via Foreign Ministry: +98 21 6 674 790

(mark: "Please forward to H.E. President Ahmadinejad")

Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir

via website: www.president.ir/email

If possible please send a copy of your appeal to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country.

For further information please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk

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